Chapter 24: Thunder Eye

"Do you really think my son Xiao Kuangyun's death has nothing to do with your nephew Bai Ling? And my father's death—do you truly believe I could ever... forget it?" Xiao Li roared.

Bai Ling turned slowly, his gaze icy as he looked at Xiao Li.

"Today! None of the three of you are leaving this place alive!!!" Xiao Li leaped onto a table, his face twisted into a ferocious sneer.

"Is that so? Are you certain?" Bai Zhentian let out a cold laugh and began to turn around as well.

Xuan Ningyue, her expression cold as frost, also started to turn.

Then, a low growl from Bai Ling reached their ears, causing them both to freeze.

"Run! Go now!"

In that split second of hesitation, Bai Ling roared, suddenly thrusting his hands forward and shoving them hard against the chests of Bai Zhentian and Xuan Ningyue.

At that very instant—

Boom!

The massive doors of the Xiao family’s main hall slammed shut.

Watching the figures of Xuan Ningyue and Bai Zhentian vanish from his sight beyond the hall, Bai Ling wore a look of relief. He growled lowly, "Third Uncle, for eighteen years, you never married, yet you cared for me as if I were your own flesh and blood. I have nothing to repay you with in this life. I am sorry!"

"Yueyue, you have awakened your bloodline. Please, erase me from your memory. These past three years, you have suffered so much, yet you endured every hardship to bring me the Fourth-Grade Hunyuan Pill. My heart is filled with endless gratitude. Go now, take my uncle with you. Do not think of avenging me. I am merely a speck of dust in your memory; in time, I will fade away..."

"Go! Run! Do not look back!"

Bai Ling’s desperate roar echoed throughout the hall, his voice reaching a crescendo of fury.

Xiao Li’s body surged with frenzied Yuan energy, and a pressure that made it hard for Bai Ling to breathe instantly engulfed the entire hall.

"Heh heh heh... you idiot. You are exactly what I wanted. To think you are so sentimental, choosing to sacrifice yourself just to buy them a chance to live? Hahaha... then I shall cripple you first, and then make you watch with your own eyes as your uncle and that overly beautiful girl crawl and kneel at my feet. Hahaha!" Xiao Li’s face twisted into a grotesque, triumphant smile.

Bai Ling’s expression darkened.

The pressure of the Yuan energy emanating from Xiao Li was suffocating—it was even more terrifying than the aura he had felt two days ago from Ji Jiuer, who was at the peak of the tenth level of the Spirit Yuan Realm!

Could it be that the head of the Xiao family, Xiao Li, was a cultivator of the Earth Yuan Realm?!

Bai Ling’s face was filled with shock. It was common knowledge that Liuyue City had only one Earth Yuan Realm expert: Ji Kun.

As for his Third Uncle, his cultivation had not yet fully recovered. Only two days ago, when Bai Ling sensed his uncle's energy, he had discovered that, like himself, his uncle was still just a mortal.

Yet, Xiao Li stood before him. Bai Zhentian had told him that three years ago, after his father was killed, Xiao Li had only been at the tenth level of the Initial Yuan Realm. In just three years, he had broken through two major realms!

He had become an Earth Yuan Realm expert!

An expert of that level could easily serve as an imperial envoy or the lord of an entire city.

Why had Xiao Li hidden his strength, only to return to his family to play the role of a clan head? What was his true goal?

Revenge for his father? If he possessed such power, he could have easily killed the uncle and nephew at any point in the last two days and then challenged Ji Kun. Why send an elder to deliver gifts? Why ask for guidance on his cultivation?

Reflecting on Xiao Li’s appearance—his plain features, his simple clothing, the only oddity being the bracelet made of Yuan crystals—Bai Ling felt a chill run down his spine. The man before him was sinister and eerie, a person he could not fathom.

What was he planning?

With his current strength, combined with the power granted by that mysterious drop of blood, Bai Ling could fight someone at the tenth level of the Initial Yuan Realm. But his opponent was now two full realms above him!

Even if he were to die today, he had to stall Xiao Li. If he could hold him for even a minute, it might grant his uncle and Yueyue a chance to escape!

"Urrghhh..." Bai Ling roared toward the ceiling, his fists clenched so tightly his veins bulged. Deep within his soul, a surge of lightning suddenly flooded his eyes.

If Bai Zhentian were here, he would have been stunned—in just two days, Bai Ling had gained a glimpse into the core of the Thunder Yuan Technique, learning to store lightning within his own body.

Bai Ling was in a desperate situation, unaware that a bizarre transformation was taking place within him as he faced the brink of death.

"Heh... even I am starting to admire your courage."

"To show not a shred of fear before me! You truly are the prodigy who defeated the genius of the Sacred Yuan Immortal Palace!"

"Tell me, what kind of miracle did you encounter? If you do, I might let you suffer a little less. How about it?"

"Hmm? What is that?"

"Thunder... Thunder Pupils!!!"

"Hiss... every time I see you, you bring me such surprises. Hahaha..."

Xiao Li stared at the lightning branching out like tree limbs within Bai Ling’s eyes, frozen in place. Everyone in Liuyue City knew of the dreamlike way Bai Ling had defeated Ji Jiuer of the Sacred Yuan Immortal Palace.

He had been there that day, intending to assassinate Ji Jiuer and claim her soul. He had been so excited!

Who would have thought that Bai Ling would be even more heaven-defying, fighting across eight minor levels and defeating a disciple of the Sacred Yuan Immortal Palace with such ease?

And who could have known that Ji Jiuer had a Heaven Yuan Realm expert guarding her? Even ten of him would be no match for such a powerhouse!

That was when Xiao Li had turned his focus to this eighteen-year-old youth who had only just awakened his powers.

He was shrouded in a mystery Xiao Li could not pierce!

What did Bai Ling possess that allowed him to unleash such astonishing combat power?

And now, those pupils, streaked with lightning amidst his furious expression, shocked him even more!

Two days ago, Bai Ling had shown no such eyes. How could a normal person harbor lightning within their vision?

Xiao Li searched his memory in an instant; throughout history, no one had ever been able to contain the laws of nature—especially the earth-shattering power of lightning—within their own body!

"Hmph, Bai Ling, you are truly a genius. I almost hate to kill you. Let me finish those two outside first, then I will come back to study the secrets you hide. Heh heh heh... what an interesting creature you are." Xiao Li sneered.

Outside the hall, Bai Zhentian and Xuan Ningyue looked at the expression on Bai Ling’s face—a mixture of relief and a readiness to die!

Bai Zhentian smiled with pride. The little one had grown up; he was actually protecting him in a moment of danger.

Xuan Ningyue, still reeling from the palm strike to her chest, felt her heart skip a beat, her face flushing pink.

The doors slammed shut. A massive wave of Yuan energy instantly enveloped the hall. To buy them time to escape, Bai Ling remained trapped inside with Xiao Li.

This aura... the Earth, Earth Yuan Realm!!!

Feeling the weight of the energy pressing against the doors, Bai Zhentian’s mind reeled. The smile vanished from his face: "Damn it! When did that brat Xiao Li reach the Earth Yuan Realm?!"